Don't suppose anyone fancies cheering me along?

[Patchninja]

Cyber wave from here! Hope you've got someone nice to rub your bum after!

[HeyWayne]

There's a map of the route at the bottom of this page: Rough Ride Guide Articles - London 2 Brighton Off-road bike ride, 22nd September, 2012

Nowhere near me, obviously, so I'll just have to virtually cheer you on

Aye - that's pretty much it, thanks Sarz.

They have provided riders with a paper map - with the key points only. There will be marshals along the route, but not as numerous as the "standard" L2B - but then there are only 1-2000 people doing this, not the 30,000 that take part in June.

Thanks for the sponsorship Rhona - very kind.

I didn't post a link as I didn't want it to look like I'd just come back on-vine to beg generous Grapes for their hard-earned.

However, if anyone would like to sponsor me, I'd be very grapeful; Wayne Coulter is fundraising for British Heart Foundation

Fund raising has been tough this year. Still every bit helps the BHF do their work.

I do have padded shorts, I also now have a brand new spangly bike to ride on - it's mahoosive as you'd expect...

What's known in the trade as a "29er" on account that the wheels are 29" rather than the standard 26". Tried it last night and it's much more comfortable for a man of my stature.

Nervous!? Me?

Pffft.

[veggiechicken]

Don't be afraid to ask, Wayne My Mother always said, if you don't ask, you don't get.
I just couldn't work out how everyone else knew how to donate and stoopid ole me didn't!
All the best for your comfort in the days afterwards

[HeyWayne]

Don't be afraid to ask, Wayne My Mother always said, if you don't ask, you don't get.
I just couldn't work out how everyone else knew how to donate and stoopid ole me didn't!
All the best for your comfort in the days afterwards

Hey, thanks VC - and no, I won't be cycling back. I am however staying in a tent in Brighton afterwards.

[veggiechicken]

Staying in a tent I doooo hope your sleeping bag is well padded
I hope you raise lots of money for BHF - its a very worthwhile charity - so good for you for choosing it

[HeyWayne]

Thankfully, we decided not to camp, and to head straight back afterwards.

I could barely walk after the ride. My legs have never felt so painful.

If, in a few months time I decide to sign up for this again, someone point me to this post and remind me how hard it was.

8.5 hours. 75 miles. 1 sore bum. 2 aching legs. 2 tired arms. 1 broken Wayne.

[veggiechicken]

Congratulations!! You'll be back for more, whatever you say now

[HeyWayne]

Congratulations!! You'll be back for more, whatever you say now

Hmmm, maybe. The single most difficult thing I've ever done, physically.

[veggiechicken]

I lack the confidence to ride a bike - full stop. So the thought of pedalling for 8.5 hours is just beyond my comprehension. I'm full of admiration for you, and anyone else, who takes on these challenges - the world would lose a lot without your guts.

[HeyWayne]

I lack the confidence to ride a bike - full stop. So the thought of pedalling for 8.5 hours is just beyond my comprehension. I'm full of admiration for you, and anyone else, who takes on these challenges - the world would lose a lot without your guts.

I nearly lost my guts on a couple of occasions...

All you need is someone to get on a bike with you. My partner was the same - now she loves cycling.

[veggiechicken]

I used to ride a bike, just, and I still have one. I really need stabilisers or a tandem now